Around the tracks 19 March 2010

WILL Power is the leader of this year's IndyCar World Series after a first-up win at the season opener in Brazil as he begins his full-time career with Penske Racing. The only other Australian in the field, his Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe, was 14th.

THE Formula One world championship will grow to 20 races next season when India joins the schedule. This year's title is decided over 19 races, with Korea as the series newcomer.

STEVE Owen swept the Fujitsu V8 Supercar races in Adelaide last weekend, but is unlikely to race again for the rest of the season. He is committed to TeamVodafone for the main-game endurance races.

COMEBACK racer Andrew Meidecke upset the aces with two wins in the Supercar Masters races in Adelaide to take the championship lead in his Chevrolet Camaro. He is just ahead of Jim Richards with defending champ Gavin Bullas in third.

DAVID Sieders is the early leader of this year's V8 Ute racing series after three races in Adelaide last weekend, ahead of Andrew Fisher and Jack Elsegood.

STEPHEN Bell is the new Victorian sprintcar champion after a hard-fought victory at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool. John Vogels still leads the Eureka Garages series.

WORLD touring car champ Yvan Muller is expected to partner Greg Murphy in the Phillip Island and Bathurst endurance races this year. The Frenchman, who co-drove with Craig Lowndes at Triple Eight, first needs to clear a date clash with his Chevy drive.